Regulation Civil War Issue Eagle Drum

Regulation Civil War Issue Eagle Drum by C.F. Soistman of Philadelphia or F. Woehr of New York – Eagle motif drums were used by the army and various state militias starting in the 18^th century; in the 1840s, the U.S. Army started to regulate the specific designs of eagle drums used by Federal troops, thereby shifting away from the use of individually designed eagle drums to the use of distinctly more uniform eagle motifs. During the Civil War, eagle drums became the standard Federal issue drum for Union Army bands and field musicians; several contractors constructed these drums during the war years.

This drum remains in overall excellent condition – the polychrome painted eagle and additional patriotic decorative elements remain vivid; the flesh hoops retain their red hue; the bent maple body of the drum is in great condition and displays a significant, brass tack pattern; viewing into the sound hole, the 1995 drum restorer’s label is visible – it indicates that the drum was restored in 1995 by Fred Benkovic; he added a handwritten notation that the drum was a “1861 Union Army Regt snare drum by C.F. Soistman of Philadelphia”***. Since posting the drum, we received notification from a trusted and knowledgeable client who suggested that the drum may have been the product of F. Woehr a New York drum maker during the Civil War who had contracts with the U.S. Army during the war – indications that this drum may have been one of his drums are based upon the design of the eagle and, more significantly, the brass tack pattern – an online auction listing for the sale of a Woehr drum described his eagle drum as follows: “Civil War Paint-Decorated Bentwood Snare Drum, F. Woehr, New York,1860-65. Painted in red, white, blue, green and yellow on a blue field with the Great Seal of the United States, the banner inscribed ‘REG,’ ‘U.S.’ and “INFANTRY,’ the vent hole on the right side of the field is surrounded by brass tacks in a diamond and circle pattern between two vertical rows, the red rims pierced for the rope” – we have included three pictures of confirmed (and labeled) F. Woehr drums.  The drum listed here was re-roped correctly, with what appears to be hemp; reproduction tension ears were added, as were both drumheads; gut snares were added during the restoration process. The drum appears to be its original size and not cut down – Height: 16.75”; Diameter – 16.5”. Overall, this is a fine example of a pre-Civil War to Civil War period, Federal Regulation eagle drum that retains its original decorative, patriotic motif paint, tack pattern, height and diameter.

***The Soistmanns

Frederick Arnold Soistmann was born in Germany on March 13, 1828 and died on April 29, 1885 at age 57. Occupation on death certificate: Drummaker. His presumed brother, Conrad Johann Soistmann, was born in 1818 and died on October 27, 1883 at age 65. Occupation on death certificate: Drum manufacturer

The name “Conrad Soistman” first appears in the Philadelphia City Directory in 1851 as a tailor, but it is unknown, and unlikely, that is the same Soistman that shows up in 1859 as a “cooper” at 867 N 4th. In 1860, Conrad appears again, but as a “turner” with the address of 820 N 4th. It is likely to believe that the “cooper” and “turner” Soistman are also the drum maker, since those would be skills needed to manufacture drums. Futhermore, the name “Soistman” appears in the directories with only on “n,” while the labels use the spelling “Soistmann.”

On February 16, 1864, Conrad and Frederick Soistmann (C. & F. Soistmann) received their first contract from the United States Quartermaster’s Department for 2,00 infantry drums at $4.90 each. Then, on October 20, 1864, the Soistmann’s were given another contract for 1,000 drums complete at $8.75 each.

In 1864 – 1867, the firm “C. & F. Soistman drummanufs. 458 Dillwyn” is listed, along with Frederick Soistman and Conrad Soistman at the same address.  By 1887, “Soistmann Bros.” are listed at 247N. 2nd. These brothers, sons of one of the former makers, continued the drum making tradition, later, passing the torch to the famed Charles “Buck” Soistman as a fourth-generation drum maker.

W. Woehr

The drum that was auctioned had this additional information on its listing: “interior affixed with the label printed ‘F. WOEHR, MANUFACTURER OF MILITARY, BASS & BRASS DRUMS, 125 & 127 Worth Street, NEW YORK.’ ” H: 16.25 in., Diam: 17 in